Zimbabwe: Government summons US envoy over White House comments

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 02:47 pm

The Zimbabwe Government has summoned American Ambassador Mr Brian Nichols to discuss claims made by a senior US official that Zimbabwe was one of several countries interfering in violent protests in the US.

Violence has erupted across America after a white police officer killed a black man, George Floyd. Protests against the killing have been held across the world.

Mr Robert O’Brien, who is US President Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor, yesterday told American media that Zimbabwe, together with China, Russia and Iran were “foreign adversaries” who are trying to take advantage of anti-racist protests in America to interfere in that country’s affairs.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo confirmed that Mr Nichols had been summoned.

According to Government officials, the Government is likely to remind Mr Nichols that Zimbabwe respects Article 2 (4) of the United Nations charter, which requires all member states to respect the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

“Anyone who has seen the genesis of recent events, from the tragic death of Mr Floyd to the subsequent protests, will realise that any accusations of Zimbabwean involvement at any stage is farcical,” a senior official said.

Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana said Zimbabwe does not view itself as an enemy of the United States.

(TheHerald)